Pesto Pasta

Filipino Style Recipe: pesto pasta is an easy and healthy Italian pasta dish. Pesto is made of processed basil, pine nuts, extra virgin olive oil, salt and pepper then usually served with pasta or bread.

Estimated time of preparation and cooking: 15-30 minutes.
Good for 3-4 person

Ingredients:
200 grams Penne pasta or any pasta
3/4 cups fresh basil leaves, chopped
3 tablespoons pine nuts or roasted pili nuts or walnuts
1/3 cup extra virgin olive oil
1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese or feta cheese
salt And pepper to taste
2 chicken breast fillet, fried and flakes(optional)
2 whole tomatoes, diced(optional)

Procedures:
Part 1
1. In a large pot, prepare the pasta based on cooking instructions. Set aside.

Part 2
1. In a food processor or blender, process chopped basil, pine nuts, salt and pepper until blended.
2. Add extra-virgin olive oil then continue blending until combined. Add more olive oil if needed. Set aside.
3. Prepare pasta on pasta tray, pour the pesto sauce on top then add chicken flakes, tomatoes and grated cheese. Toss together then Serve!

Notes:
1. You may also used peeled and deveined shrimps instead of chicken.
2. You may also used pesto pasta sauce mix which is available in grocery stores instead of doing the pesto sauce by yourself.

Inihaw na Hito(Grilled Catfish)

Filipino Style Recipe: Inihaw na hito or grilled catfish is another delicious dish that is favorite by most Filipinos and commonly served as finger food(pulutan). Like other grilled fish, we marinate catfish then grilled over hot charcoal.

Estimated time of preparation: 20-30 minutes
Estimated time of cooking: 20 minutes
Good for 3-4 persons

Ingredients:
3 catfish(hito), remove innards then rub and clean with salt
1/2 cup light soy sauce
salt and pepper to taste
1 head garlic, crushed unpeeled

You will also need:
bamboo Skewers
charcoal grill

Procedures:
Part 1
1. In a large container, place catfish then add salt and water. Let stand for 10 minutes then rinse.
2. With a sharp knife, slits the catfish vertical cuts on both side.
3. Skew each catfish on bamboo sticks through the mouth.
4. In a large container, combine garlic, soy sauce, salt and pepper then marinate catfish for 20 minutes.
5. Grill marinated catfish over hot charcoal for about 10 minutes each side or until catfish is tender.
6. Serve with soy sauce and calamansi.

Beef Teriyaki

Filipino Style Recipe: beef teriyaki is a popular dish in Japanese cuisine. Normally the beef marinade then pan-fried with marinade sauce until tender.

Estimated time of preparation: 10 minutes
Estimated time of cooking: 20-30 minutes

Good for 2-3 persons

Ingredients:
1/2 kilo beef sirloin, sliced thinly into strips
3 tablespoon teriyaki sauce
1 tablespoon cooking oil
1 tablespoon sesame seeds, toasted(optional)
spring onions for garnishing(optional)

Marinade:
3 tablespoons soy sauce
2 tablespoons vinegar
1 tablespoon brown sugar
1/2 tablespoon ground pepper
1 tablespoon salt

Procedures:
Part 1
1. In a bowl, combine beef, vinegar, soy sauce, sugar, salt and pepper. Marinate for 30 minutes.

Part 2
1. In a pan, heat oil and stir fry beef over low heat until golden brown.
2. Pour the marinade and teriyaki sauce, cover and simmer for 5-10 minutes until tender.
3. Adjust seasoning according to taste by adding more sugar, water or teriyaki sauce.
4. Transfer the beef to serving plate and pour thickened sauce on top.
5. Sprinkle with toasted sesame seeds and spring onion. Serve hot with sauteed mung beans and steamed rice.

Bacon, Egg and Cheese Scramble

Filipino Style Recipe: bacon, egg and cheese scramble is another easy yet delicious breakfast dish. It is consists of egg and milk mix until blended then cooked with bacon and grated with cheese. This is usually served with rice or bread.

Estimated time of preparation and cooking: 20-30 minutes

Ingredients:
300 grams bacon, cut into cubes
3 pieces raw eggs, beaten
1/4 cup evaporated milk
5 cloves garlic, minced
1 medium-sized white onion, chopped
2 tablespoons butter
1/2 cup cheese, grated
salt and pepper to taste

Procedures:
Part 1
1. In a bowl, combine eggs, milk, salt and pepper. Whisk until well blended.

Part 2
1. In a pan, heat oil and fry bacon until done. Drain and set aside.

Part 3
1. In a same pan, melt butter and saute garlic and onion.
2. Add egg mixture then cook in a low heat. Stir constantly until the mixture is soft and fluffy.
3. Add bacon and cheese. Stir until the cheese melted.
4. Remove from heat and transfer to serving plate. Serve and enjoy.

Fruit Cake

Filipino Style Recipe: Fruit cake is a sweet cake that is usually serve during Holiday season. This is cake is made of butter, sugar, salt, eggs, flour and baking powder mixed with candied fruits and chopped nuts soaked in liquors like brandy or rum then baked until golden brown.

Estimated time of preparation: 15-20 minutes(plus soaking time)
Estimated time of cooking: 50 minutes

Ingredients:
1/2 cup raisins
1/2 cup red and green maraschino cherries, drained
1/2 cup walnuts, chopped
1/2 cup candied pineapple chunks
1/2 cup brandy or rum
2 cups sugar(plus 1 cup sugar for caramel syrup)
2 cups flour
2 teaspoons baking powder
250 grams butter, melted
6 eggs
1/2 cup water
1 teaspoon salt
2 teaspoons vanilla essence(optional)

Procedures:
Part 1(Soaking Fruits)
1. In a stainless steel bowl, pour brandy then soak fruits.
2. Cover and let stand overnight at room temperature. Set aside.

Part 2(Caramel Syrup)
1. In a heated pan, pour 1/2 cup water then dissolved 1 cup sugar until caramelized. Let it cool and set aside

Part 3(Batter Mixture)
1. In a large bowl, combine flour, baking powder, sugar and salt. Mix well.
2. Add butter, sugar and eggs, vanilla essence then mix well.
3. Add caramel syrup and half of soaked fruits then mix well.

Part 4(Baking)
1. In a loaf pan, grease with melted butter then dust with flour.
2. Pour mixture then bake over 300 degrees Fahrenheit for about 20 minutes then remove from the oven.
3. Sprinkle the remaining soaked fruits on top then put back in the oven.
4. Bake for another 40 minutes or until golden brown.
(Fruit cake is done when a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean.)
5. Remove from the oven then brush top with remaining brandy from soaked fruits.
6. Let it cool then refrigerate before slicing. Enjoy!

Lemon and Pepper Fish Fillet

Filipino Style Recipe: lemon and pepper fish fillet is another low-carbohydrate dish. It is usually consists of fish fillet season in lemon juice, salt and grind pepper. Coated with flour then deep fried until golden brown.

Estimated time of preparation and cooking: 30 minutes
Good for 3-4 persons

Ingredients:
4 fish fillets(lapu lapu, dory, talakitok)
3 tablespoons lemon juice
1 tablespoon lemon zest(optional)
2 tablespoons cornstarch
1 cup flour
salt and pepper to taste
dried rosemary
cooking oil for frying

Procedures:
1. In a bowl, combine lemon juice, lemon zest, cornstarch, rosemary, salt and pepper. Mix well
2. Add fillet then coat onto flour. Shake off excess flour then set aside.
3. In a frying pan, heat oil then deep fry one by one until golden brown.
4. Drain on paper towel and transfer to serving plate. Serve with steamed beans.

Cheese Stick

Filipino Style Recipe: cheese stick is another simple and easy Filipino meryenda(mid-afternoon snack) that is commonly sold along the streets. Cheese stick is made of cheese strips wrapped in spring roll wrapper then deep fried until golden brown. Then served with your favorite dipping sauce.

Estimated time of preparation and cooking: 20-30 minutes

Ingredients:
1 block cheddar cheese (I Used PROCHIZ Gold) , sliced into small strips
1 pack spring roll wrapper
1 cup cooking oil
mayonnaise & ketchup for dipping sauce
powdered cheese(optional)

Procedures:
Part 1
1. Wrap the cheese in a wrapper, sealed the edges with water.

Part 2
1. In a frying pan, heat oil then deep fried cheese sticks for 3 minutes or until golden brown. Drain on paper towel
2. In a container, add powdered cheese and fried cheese sticks then cover and shake until coat evenly.
3. Serve with mayo-ketchup dip.

Paksiw na Tilapia

Filipino Style Recipe: Paksiw na tilapia is a quick and easy fish dish by Filipinos. The fish and vegetables cooked in a blend of vinegar and some spices like garlic, onion and ginger. Here is my Mom’s recipe on how to cook the usual paksiw na tilapia. Enjoy cooking!

Estimated time of preparation and cooking: 20-30 minutes. Good for 3-4 persons.

Ingredients:
4 pieces medium-sized tilapia, cleaned, scales removed and cut diagonally into half
1 small garlic, pounded
1 onion, sliced
1 thumb-sized ginger, sliced and pounded
1/2 cup vinegar
1 cup water
1 teaspoon cooking oil
1 teaspoon peppercorn
2 teaspoon salt
3 green chili(siling haba)
5 small okra, heads removed

Procedures:
Part 1
1. In a pan, arrange tilapia, garlic, onion, ginger, salt and peppercorn.
2. Pour water, vinegar and cooking oil then add vegetable and green chili.
3. Cover and simmer in a medium heat for 10-15 minutes or until tender.
4. Remove from heat and Serve.

Notes:
1. You may also used eggplants or bitter gourd(ampalaya) as alternative vegetable.

Stir Fry Snow Peas and Mushrooms

Filipino Style Recipe: Stir fry snow peas and mushrooms is another easy yet healthy food. Normally the snow peas and mushrooms comes stir fried then cooked in a blend of cornstarch, water and soy sauce.

Estimated time preparation and cooking: 5 minutes
Good for 4 persons

Ingredients:
2 cups fresh snow peas(sitsaro), trimmed
1 1/2 cups sliced mushrooms
1 1/2 teaspoons cornstarch
1/2 cup water
1 tablespoon soy sauce
1 chicken cube(bouillon cube)
2 olive oil

Procedures:
1. In a pan, heat olive oil and stir fry snowpeas and mushrooms.
2. In a bowl, combine cornstarch, water, soy sauce and chicken cube. Mix until well blended.
3. Pour the mixture in a pan, simmer for 2 minutes or until thickens. Serve hot.

Mango Shake

Filipino Style Recipe: mango shake is another sweet and refreshing beverage. This beverage is made of mango slices, milk, sugar and cubed ice. Best to served during summer season.

Estimated time of preparation: 5-8 minutes

Ingredients:
4 pieces ripe mango, peeled and sliced
2 cups ice cubes
1 cup evaporated milk(optional)
sugar or other sweetener to taste

Procedures:
1. In a blender, process mango, milk, sugar and some ice until blended.
2. Add more ice until smooth then pour into glasses then served cold.